Lymington is a major yachting center, with several yacht clubs and a large marina, as well as a ferry port serving Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.

Historically, Lymington was a center of the salt drying industry, where salt water was admitted to shallow lagoons and dried out. These abandonded lagoons (called saltings) have now become major sea bird reserves, and the area attracts ornithologists.

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Lymington is the terminus of a branch rail line from Brockenhurst in the New Forest, where it connects with direct main line service from London and many other parts of the country. There are two stations in Lymington; Lymington Town best serves the central area and marinas, whilst Lymington Pier is part of the ferry terminal complex. Train times can be found on the National Rail Planner or by calling 0845-748-4950 from anywhere in the UK.

By road, Lymington can be approached from the west along the coast road (the A337 from Bournemouth. Any other direction requires a crossing of the New Forest with its sometimes congested roads. There are two alternatives; take the M27 to junction 1 and then the A337 through Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst, or leave the M27 at junction 2 and follow the A326 to Dibden Purlieu and then the B3054 through Beaulieu.